Priya Kapoor
The painted lady caterpillar is the larval form of the painted lady butterfly (Vanessa cardui), the most widespread and common butterfly species in the world. Painted lady caterpillars are known for their voracious appetite, consuming large quantities of foliage from a variety of host plants. While thistles are commonly associated with painted lady caterpillars, they are also known to feed on other plants, including hollyhock. This raises the question: can painted lady caterpillars switch from thistle to hollyhock, and what factors influence their dietary choices? Understanding the dietary preferences and adaptability of painted lady caterpillars is crucial for those interested in butterfly conservation and gardening.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Vanessa cardui |
| Common name | Painted Lady |
| Distribution | Found on every continent except Antarctica and Australia |
| Host plants | Thistle, Hollyhock, Mallow, Aster, Legumes, Milk Thistle, Common Plantain, Sunflower, Nettle, Calendula, Aster, Verbena, Borage, Fiddleneck, Comfrey, Artichoke, Cardoon, Cheeseweed, Sunflowers, Yarrows, and many more |
| Migration speed | Up to 100 miles per day at a speed of 30 miles per hour |
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What You'll Learn
Painted lady caterpillars eat a variety of host plants
Painted lady caterpillars are known to eat a wide variety of host plants, with more than 100 species recorded. They are particularly fond of thistles, including tall thistle, milk thistle, and the California native Cobweb Thistle (Cirsium occidentale). They also feed on other plants in the Asteraceae family, such as Pearly Everlasting (Anaphalis margaritaceae) and Mule Ears (Wytheia spp.).
These caterpillars are not picky eaters and will consume a range of host plants, including hollyhocks, mallow, sunflowers, legumes, and various weeds. They are known to feed on plants in the Aster/Sunflower family, such as yarrows, and plants in the Mallow family, especially weedy ones like Cheeseweed (Malva nicaensis). They will also eat cultivated plants like artichokes and cardoons.
The selection of host plants is crucial for the caterpillars' growth and metamorphosis into adult butterflies. Female butterflies lay their eggs singly on the leaves of these food plants, and the spiny caterpillars that hatch after 3 to 5 days feed continually for 5 to 10 days. During this time, they can eat large quantities of foliage, sometimes completely defoliating a plant.
In addition to the plants mentioned above, painted lady caterpillars have been observed feeding on plants in the Borage family, such as Fiddleneck, Comfrey, and Verbena family plants like Fogfruit (Phyla or Lippia nodiflora). They are also known to eat plants in the pea, nettle, and plantain families.
With such a diverse diet, painted lady caterpillars can be found in various habitats, and their ability to adapt to different food sources likely contributes to their status as the most widespread and common butterfly species globally.
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Thistle is a vital host plant for painted lady caterpillars
Painted lady caterpillars have been known to eat many different types of plants, with over 100 host plants recorded. Some of their favourite foods include thistles, hollyhocks, mallows, sunflowers, and legumes. They will eat the leaves of these plants, and as they grow, they can consume large quantities of foliage before pupating. The selection of host plants for egg-laying and larval feeding is crucial as it provides the necessary nutrients for the caterpillars to grow and eventually metamorphose into adult butterflies.
Thistles in the Cirsium and Silybum genera are commonly eaten by painted lady caterpillars, including the tall thistle (Cirsium altissimum), a striking native North American perennial with upright stems and purple, brush-like flowers. Cobweb Thistle (Cirsium occidentale), a California native thistle, is another host plant for painted lady caterpillars. It is recognised by its distinct cobweb-like filaments among its spines and bright crimson to purple flowers. Milk thistle is also a host plant for painted lady caterpillars.
In addition to thistles, painted lady caterpillars also feed on other plants in the Asteraceae family, such as Pearly Everlasting (Anaphalis margaritaceae) and Mule Ears (Wytheia spp.). They may also feed on cultivated plants like artichokes and cardoons.
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Hollyhock is a favourite food source for painted lady caterpillars
Painted lady caterpillars are spiny and can be grayish brown, purple-black, or yellow with side stripes. They hatch after 3 to 5 days and then eat and molt for another 10 to 12 days, growing hundreds of times their original size. During this time, they eat the leaves of their host plants and can consume large quantities of foliage. If numerous, they can completely defoliate a plant.
Hollyhock is a suitable host plant for painted lady caterpillars, as it provides the necessary nutrients and supports their growth. The caterpillars feed on the leaves of the hollyhock plant and may also feed on the flowers or other parts of the plant. Hollyhocks are cultivated plants that belong to the mallow family, which is one of the preferred food groups of painted lady caterpillars.
In addition to hollyhock, painted lady caterpillars also feed on various other host plants, including thistle. Thistle is a vital host plant for the larvae of painted lady butterflies and is commonly known as "butterfly thistle". There are different types of thistle plants that cater to the caterpillars, such as the Cobweb Thistle (Cirsium occidentale), which is native to California, and the Milk Thistle. These thistle plants provide a food source for the caterpillars and support their development into adult butterflies.
Overall, hollyhock is a favourite food source for painted lady caterpillars due to its nutritional value and suitability for their growth. The caterpillars feed on the leaves and other parts of the hollyhock plant, along with a variety of other host plants like thistle, mallow, and legumes, ensuring their development into adult butterflies.
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Painted lady caterpillars can eat more than 100 plant species
Painted lady caterpillars have a varied diet, feeding on the leaves of a wide variety of host plants. In fact, they can eat more than 100 plant species, primarily in the families Compositae, Boraginaceae, and Malvaceae.
Painted lady caterpillars are spiny and grayish brown or purple-black with yellow side stripes. They hatch after 3 to 5 days and eat continually for 5 to 10 days, living in a loosely woven silk nest. They eat a lot and can completely defoliate a plant. They grow to about 1¼ inches before pupating on the host plant.
Painted lady caterpillars have many host plants to choose from, but some of their preferred foods include calendula, hollyhock, mallow, sunflower, and thistles (including Canada thistle and tall thistle). They also like aster, legumes, and various nectar-rich flowers such as cosmos, zinnias, and asters.
If you are raising painted lady caterpillars, it is important to have an adequate supply of plants on hand. Be sure that any plant material you choose is free of residual pesticides, as these can damage the larvae.
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Painted lady caterpillars can eat weedy thistles
The painted lady caterpillar is known to eat many different types of plants, with over 100 host plants recorded. Some of their favorite foods include thistle, hollyhock, mallow, sunflower, and nettle. They also eat legumes, calendula, aster, and various legumes.
The painted lady caterpillar is the larval form of the painted lady butterfly (Vanessa cardui), which is the most widespread and common butterfly in the world. It is found throughout Europe, Asia, Africa, North America, and Central America. The painted lady butterfly is also known as the "thistle butterfly" and can typically be found in areas where thistle is common.
The painted lady caterpillar will eat the leaves of these plants and, as they grow, they can consume large quantities of foliage before pupating. The selection of host plants for egg-laying and larval feeding is crucial as it provides the necessary nutrients for the caterpillars to grow and eventually metamorphose into adult butterflies.
Tall thistle serves as a vital host for the larvae of the painted lady butterfly. Cirsium occidentale, commonly called the Cobwebby Thistle, is a native thistle to the western United States. It is recognized by its distinct cobweb-like filaments among its spines and bright crimson to purple flowers.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, painted lady caterpillars can switch from thistle to hollyhock as they feed on a variety of host plants.
Some host plants for painted lady caterpillars include thistle, hollyhock, mallow, daisy, purple coneflower, black-eyed Susan, Rudbeckia, aster, legumes, and milk thistle.
Healthy painted lady caterpillars should be eating and molting regularly, growing hundreds of times their original size. They should also be able to move, even if only slightly, when gently touched with a soft brush.
The lifecycle of painted lady caterpillars includes four stages: egg, caterpillar, chrysalis, and adult. It takes about 3-4 weeks to go from egg to adult. The caterpillar takes about 3-5 days to hatch from the egg and then eats and molts for another 10-12 days, growing hundreds of times its original size. Once it pupates and becomes a chrysalis, it takes another 8-10 days until the adult butterfly emerges.
